So, Classic Firearms was running a deal on a 16" nitride 6.5G barrel for $50 and curiosity overcame me so I ordered it. I'm aware of some short throat issues that some people have experienced with their barrels (usually the 5R ones but not always) so i'll be keeping an eye on that. I received it yesterday and was able to inspect and clean it up today.
The bore was FILTHY, I'm not surprised because I have two other BCA barrels in .223 Wylde and they were similar. After running a patch through after I hosed it out with Ballistol it looked better, then I hosed it out with Hoppes foaming bore cleaner and let it sit for a half hour....the patches proceeded to come out in what I can only describe as a color you only encounter after going on a binge of cheap beer and tacos at the seediest Mexican restaurant in town. At any rate, I got the patches to come out clean finally.
Then began the Flitz. I ran probably 20 Flitz patches front and back (40 total passes) and finished by another hosing out with Ballistol and dry patches till clean. I can say the bore looks damn near perfect now. One thing I am not terribly excited about however, is the crown isn't very well done so I am going to have to clean that up. It was collecting fibers from the patches at the crown...nothing major, just a little fluff but it certainly needs to be addressed.